Muscovy are the only domestic ducks that do not come
from Mallard stock. They are a South American species, originating
from Brazil. The original (wild type) coloration is black and white,
but domestication has produced many more colors. These colors include;
blue, blue and white, chocolate, chocolate and white, white, black,
black and white, lavender, and calical. Day old ducklings colors range
from a solid pale yellow to yellow and black, the feet are yellow and black.
Muscovy tend to hiss rather than quack.

The males can grow to be quite large, weighing 10-15 lbs. Most of
the females are 5-7 pounds but can reach up to 9 and sometimes
10 lbs. Their feet have strong sharp claws and are built to grasp,
so that they can perch on branches. Muscovy are unique because of
their bright red crest around their eyes and above the beak.
Although, often considered ugly because of these large red warty
caruncles. They are, however, very personable, interesting birds.
They are quite intelligent and entertaining.

Unlike most domestic waterfowl, Muscovy will often
fly up and roost. They are very good flyers, especially the
smaller females, but are known more for flying around than flying
away. We have a hen that tours the neighborhood. Never landing
anywhere but home. They do not swim much because their oil glands
are under developed compared to most ducks. Muscovy hens can set
three times a year, and the egg clutches can vary from 8 to 21 eggs.
The egg are incubated for 35 days.

Muscovy
when crossed with other breeds, produce sterile offspring. For
instance, if you cross a Muscovy male with a Pekin female you
will hatch mules; if you cross a Pekin male with a Muscovy female
the progeny are called hinnies. Whereas a Pekin takes 28 days to
hatch and a Muscovy takes 35 days, a mule or hinny takes 32 days
to hatch.

Approximately 60% of mule ducks are males. Some of
their characteristics are like the Muscovy as they are large,
quiet, slow moving and have long claws but are also like Pekin as
they swim well, the males and females are much the same size and
they do not fly. Hinnies are not grown commercially. Males
hinnies are much larger than female hinnies, like the Muscovy,
yet the females look Pekin but fly quite well.

Mules and
hinnies cannot reproduce. Both males are sterile and only the
hinny females lay eggs (though they cannot hatch). If you have
Muscovy and Pekin together, the chances are poor that they will
cross but if they do, a hinny will probably be the result as
Pekin males can catch Muscovy females easier than Muscovy males
can catch Pekin females.

By the age
of about three months, the males are nearly twice as large as the
females. I don't know if this is always the case. But, I've found
that in younger Muscovies, the feet of the males are often
larger. It is quiet, a good forager and is naturally broody.
Muscovy are good mothers and hatch and brood their ducklings
efficiently.

Muscovy
are my personal favorite. We had a hen that was sitting on a
clutch of eggs. During the day from time to time she would leave
the nest for food and or water. Before leaving she would cover
her eggs. As she would start to leave one of our barn cats would
come and lay on the eggs. If she was gone for awhile, that cat
would leave the nest as a second cat would arrive to take over.
When the hen returned, whichever cat was tending the nest would
vacate for her. The cats never did bother the ducklings or the
turkey chicks, as we sometimes use Muscovy hens to hatch turkeys
eggs along with duck eggs.

Later in the year, this same Muscovy hen was attacked by a
chicken. Causing a lost of sight in one eye. That winter her feet
froze, and she lost both feet at the ankles. She became a pet
carrier house pet for awhile. Early in the summer we put her back
outside. By then both her feet scabbed over and healed. It took
her awhile to figure out how to walk. She decided to walked
backwards. She now has recovered, and is not picked on by any of
the ducks, geese or chickens. She doesn't lay eggs anymore
however.

She does hit the pond with all her buddies. And she is flying
again. Jumping into the air with a wing flap lift. To land, she
hovers just off the ground then lightly sets down. It was nice to
watch her fly again. Prior to the attack, she would tour (flying)
the neighborhood. Upon returning from her tour. If you were
outside she would find you and fly just inches above your head
before landing. All this never really handicapped her. What it
did do is make her special. Not to mention the center of
everyone's attention.

When raising Muscovy ducklings, keep in mind that they are very
good climbers. Make sure that they will not burn themselves in
the heat source should they climb the sides. Or, escape over the
top if using an open brooder.